Motorists urged to show caution on the Districts Roads

Heavy rain and storms over the past couple of days have resulted in minor damage to the Waitaki District’s roading network. As a result of the extreme weather, 25 roads were closed in the District and surface flooding has affected a number of other roads. Sections of State Highway One, by Deborah underneath the Rail Bridge, and between Pukeuri and Waitaki Bridge, have been closed. Detours are currently in place on the State Highway.

 

Motorists are urged to check the Council’s website, www.waitaki.govt.nz for information on road closures and conditions affecting Council roads and to exercise caution when using roads affected by surface flooding. Detours are in place where roads have been closed due to flooding. For updates relating to State Highways, motorists should check the Transit New Zealand website, www.transit.govt.nz.

 

The Council’s Emergency Services Manager Eric Spittal said that the rain was expected to ease, “with light to moderate rain forecast for today and Saturday.” Following this, conditions were expected to improve.

 

“It is important that motorists show caution when using roads as they may have been damaged by flooding, which could create problems such as potholes, even if the water has receded,” said Mr Spittal.

 

The damage to the District’s roads so far reported has been relatively minor and is estimated to cost in the region of $50,000. Some of this cost will be recovered through Land Transport New Zealand subsidy. The major work created by the storm will be associated with cleaning up culverts blocked by debris. The extent of the damage to the roading network caused by the storm is currently being assessed by Council’s maintenance contractor Whitestone Contracting.

 

Emergency Services staff have been kept busy in recent days dealing with the storm. Yesterday evening staff rescued several motorists from flood waters in the Hilderthorpe area. The resident of one house in Douglas Terrace, Oamaru, was also evacuated due to the danger from a slip above the property.

 

Residents are encouraged to keep up to date with information on road closures and road conditions by checking the Council’s website, www.waitaki.govt.nz for information. Emergency services staff can also be contacted for advice or assistance by phoning 03 433 0300.